D80 lens query..

Hi all,
I am gonna upgrade from a nikon coolpix 8800 point n shoot digital to a D80 as m steepin as a pro now. Now i have some real queries in my mind. Firstly, the 8800 had 10x zoom ie 35-350m equivalent. Means m used to zooming at 350mm max 5.6 aperture i think.

Now, by gettin a SLR ie the D80, m gona go in for the 18-200 mm lens as a basic multipurpose lens n a 70-300 mm to do landscape fotografy. Now, with these lenses i dont know how much zoom they are. where i am confused is, will the 70-300mm lens offer more zoom than the 8800s zoom?? Ya shifting from plain ol digital to SLR fotografy is a bit different as one is not used to using lenses more often, but guys pl help me out with this zoom confusion. I definitely want more zoom than the 8800s coz thats the reason m upgrading to a SLR. Also..will the 18-200s zoo match up to the 8800s zoom????

Re: D80 lens query..

Originally Posted by myg126

Hi all,
I am gonna upgrade from a nikon coolpix 8800 point n shoot digital to a D80 as m steepin as a pro now. Now i have some real queries in my mind. Firstly, the 8800 had 10x zoom ie 35-350m equivalent. Means m used to zooming at 350mm max 5.6 aperture i think.

Now, by gettin a SLR ie the D80, m gona go in for the 18-200 mm lens as a basic multipurpose lens n a 70-300 mm to do landscape fotografy. Now, with these lenses i dont know how much zoom they are. where i am confused is, will the 70-300mm lens offer more zoom than the 8800s zoom?? Ya shifting from plain ol digital to SLR fotografy is a bit different as one is not used to using lenses more often, but guys pl help me out with this zoom confusion. I definitely want more zoom than the 8800s coz thats the reason m upgrading to a SLR. Also..will the 18-200s zoo match up to the 8800s zoom????

M awaiting ur replies mates...PL PL help me out with this zoom confusion. u can mail me back at myg126@gmail..

~cheers~

In order to express the view you get with a lens on the D80 in 35mm film terms you multiply the real focal length by 1.5. So the 18-200 is the equivalent of a 27-300 and the 70-300 is the equivalent on a 105-450. Here are some 35mm film focal lengths in terms of the view you get:

So the 18-200 (=27-300) goes all the way from wideangle to long telephoto.

I bought the 18-200 a little while ago and it's amazing. I'm not sure you'll need the 70-300. If you do a lot of landscapes then I would look rather for a true wide-angle zoom. I have the Tamron 11-18 and it's really impressive.

Re: D80 lens query..

Hi charles,
Hey thanx for helpin me out mate! Now..i asked some of my fellow photogrhr frnds n they came up with the lenses mentioned below, n advised against going for the 18-200 saying it will b awaste of money!..what would u suggest??

they also said that instead of the 70-300, the 80-200 2.8 will be cool enough! whats ur take again?? & lastly they asked me to go in for the 50mm 1.8 fast low light lens which has some real gr8 optics n is worth just 100$

Re: D80 lens query..

Originally Posted by myg126

Hi charles,
Hey thanx for helpin me out mate! Now..i asked some of my fellow photogrhr frnds n they came up with the lenses mentioned below, n advised against going for the 18-200 saying it will b awaste of money!..what would u suggest??

they also said that instead of the 70-300, the 80-200 2.8 will be cool enough! whats ur take again?? & lastly they asked me to go in for the 50mm 1.8 fast low light lens which has some real gr8 optics n is worth just 100$

pl lemme know..i need to place d orders soon..
~cheers

Good questions. You must have some rich friends judging by the lenses they recommend. I actually have many of the lenses you mention and I have been asking myself when to use them rather than the 18-200.

4 automobile: fisheye, super wide angle. A( 12-24mm)
- I have the Tamron 11-18 which is good enough for me

4 landscape: wideangle (28-80 2.8)
- I have the Nikon 28-70 f2.8 and I adore it but on the D200/D80 it's not a wide-angle. The 28mm is the equivalent of a 40mm. The 17-55 f2.8 would be a better choice

4 nature: telephoto (70-200mm 2.8)
- I have the 80-200 f2.8. It's super but huge and very heavy

4 sport: same as above
- Definitely go for the 80-200

4 macro: 90mm 2.8 macro
- Don't do very much macro so I don't need a specialised lens

4 people:
4 street: fast, prime...(30mm 1.4)
- you don't need a lens that fast. I use the 28mm f2.8 because it's small, otherwise the 18-200 is fine.

- I have the 50mm f1.8 which is "normal" for film but on the D80/D200 it's the equivalent of a 75mm weak telephoto which I have no use for. If I need this sort of lens I use the 28mm F2.8 or the 35mm f2

Add all that up and you have a very large heavy bag with about $5000 worth of equipment in it. Most of the time the $900 18-200 will do, plus there's no need to change lenses and risk getting dust on the sensor.